Birding and other distractions

A pleasant afternoon at Stodmarsh, mostly sunny though with a shower of rain just before I arrived. By the Reed Bed hide I had a nice view of a male Blackcap from the new screen. Both Little Egret and Great White Egret were seen from the hide itself, plus a fair number of C ommon Terns, most of them near the raft placed in the lake for breeding, with one closer individual on a post. From there I made my way to the Marsh hide where a juvenile Purple Heron had recently been reported. I didn't see the heron though enjoyed close views of Green Sandpiper and Common Snipe, six of each species. Approx. eight Cattle Egret were in a nearby field with a herd of animals though mostly obscured by vegetation. A male Marsh Harrier in hunting mode caused some panic amongst Stock Doves and other birds. I walked back, joining the Lampen Wall to view the main lake. Fortunately, the White-winged Tern flew in at about 4:15, and spent half an hour feeding over the lake, giving reasonably good views.  I...

A brief visit to Bredhurst this afternoon. The weather was meant to be slightly cooler today but didn't really feel it, with unbroken sunshine and very humid whilst I was out. In DV I saw several Adonis Blue and the odd Brown Argus. A very active Clouded Yellow didn't hang around for a photograph. I found one Adder in TF, a sub-adult about 30 cm in length. A Robber Fly was nice to see. Adonis Blue male Adonis Blue  Robber Fly Adder

A Hudsonian Godwit has been present at Cattawade in Suffolk since 13th July. I'd previously seen the species in 2015 at Meare Heath in Somerset though fancied seeing this latest individual so belatedly travelled to Cattawade today.  On route to Suffolk the news was initially negative but happily, by 10:25, the bird had been refound according to Birdguides. On our arrival the godwit was on the south bank of the river Stour several hundred yards from the white bridge. It was a moulting adult, typically looking dark in colour. At one point I saw it closer from a public footpath. However, it continued to work its way towards the bridge from where other birders were watching, though by the time I'd walked back the bird had unfortunately flown off. A Greenshank was seen on the north bank of the river before we left the site. After that we went to Ramsholt in Suffolk where there are a number of freshwater pools by the riverside. Glossy Ibis had recently been reported there though was ...

A Long-tailed Shrike, recently present in Scotland, was last seen on 8th July after a short stay. I had hoped it would come further south though there had been no news in the following days. However, that all changed yesterday when it, or a different bird, was found in Eastleach, Gloucestershire. I couldn't get away then but this morning set off after confirmation that the bird was still present. The journey took longer than expected mainly due to the usual problems on the M25, and we didn't get there until mid-morning. However, the shrike was seen shortly after arrival, present in a hedgerow bordering a recently cut hay field. It was then watched on and off for the next two hours, though could be distant for much of the time.  It was another warm and sunny day, with barely a cloud in the sky. Nice though that was, the conditions weren't ideal for photography due to heat haze and a subject never very close. Nevertheless, there were a lot of happy birders there, and we left ...

The Palheiro Botanical Garden was an enjoyable place to visit today. It is less formerly planted than the Jardim Botanico visited a couple of days ago in Madeira, and consequently we preferred it. Some parts seemed akin to a nature reserve, with some stunning views down to the coastline and Funchal. T he garden is also a site for the endemic Trocaz Pigeon which I had yet to see.  We spent about three hours there, seeing Madeiran Chaffinch, Madeiran Firecrest, Kestrels, and hearing plenty of Blackcaps, still in fine voice even in late June. However, it took nearly two hours to find a Trocaz Pigeon, an adult eventually appearing on a wall quite close to me. It was bigger than I expected, about the same size as a Wood Pigeon. The bird (or another) was later seen nearby in flight. Perez's Frogs were present in many of the ornamental ponds, and Madeiran Wall Lizard were easy to find in many areas. Butterflies included Clouded Yellow, Speckled Wood, and a solitary Monarch. Trocaz Pigeon...

A Western Reef Heron was found near Caernarfon last Saturday (6th), a first for Britain no less. Somewhat belatedly we travelled there yesterday, arriving in the area at 9 pm. I'd booked a hotel in Tremadog for the overnight stay. At breakfast this morning news came in that the heron had been seen near Caernarfon castle, a 20 minute drive away. On our arrival the bird was feeding on the far bank of the river and gave excellent views. It was in immaculate plumage, a very smart bird that we watched from the car park with other birders. At times it was seen together with a Little Egret allowing comparative views. After that we drove south to Ganllwyd, a National Trust reserve of wooded hillside alongside the river Gamlan. It was getting late in the season though I was hoping to see a Wood Warbler, and fortunately found a singing male near the car park. Nearby a pair of Redstart showed quite well. By now it was 1 pm so we decided to head back. The drive back via Snowdonia was very scen...